The Anointing

Someone asked, “What will the anointing look like when it's not clouded by man's opinion?" I answered, “It would appear as a perfect blending of grace and power, gentleness and strength. Clothed in humility, inspired by holiness and motivated by love, it would be Christlikeness personified."  This is what true anointing would look like.

Prayer to Start My Day

Lord,
Go before me and prepare my path
   that I might walk in it.
Go before me and smooth my path
   that I might not stumble.
Enlarge my path and uphold me with Your
strong right arm
   that I might not slip.
Keep me focused on Jesus
   that I wander neither to the left nor the right.
Guard my mind;
Guard my speech;
Guard my heart and guide my steps
   that I might walk before you in righteousness
      and truth, mercy, humility, and holiness.
I commit this day to you.
Amen.

God's Idea

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said. "The Church is Christ existing as community." 

The Church is God's idea. It is the visible, physical representation of Christ on earth. It is not the man's creation. Oh, there are problems and concerns within the Church that were created by man, but the Church is how Jesus chooses to show Himself to the world until He returns.

Those who say they are Christians and want nothing to do with the Church, are saying, "God, I don't like Your idea! I want to say I am a part of the Body of Christ, but I choose to be amputated from it. I want a religion on MY terms, not Yours!" The isolated-by-choice Christian is in rebellion, not just to God's idea, but to God Himself. This person will see limited personal growth, minimal spiritual fruit, and will actually hinder true advancement of Kingdom of God in their own circle of friends and family. Yes! God loves the individual, but when Jesus returns, He will be coming for the Church, not for a bunch of individuals who want nothing to do with His Beloved.

God expects followers of Jesus to dwell in loving community, where worship, discipleship, service to others, and evangelism is evidence and testimony to the world that they are loved by their Creator. We have often heard and perhaps even said, "All you need is Jesus!" If that were true, Jesus wouldn't have established the Church. We need the Church! It is God's idea.

Symbols in Prayer and Worship

Recently I was in a discussion group and the subject of anointing oil was mentioned. What follows are some thoughts I shared in that discussion.

Oil is a symbol of healing and the Holy Spirit. Symbols in prayer and worship, when properly used, are very important and valuable. They inspire faith and encourage devotion. Sadly, many of our churches have removed nearly all use of symbols. It is becoming increasingly common to see sanctuaries without even a cross. Sigh.

Use of symbols in worship is God's idea. From the minute details of the tabernacle to the scenes of heaven in the book of Revelation symbols abound. If they do nothing for you, fine, but for others the are essential. For me, a cross on a wall is more inspiring that a blank wall.

The importance and value of symbols is not in what they are, but in what they represent.

For example, my most valuable possession in all the world is a symbol: my wedding ring. It is very simple and common and contains only about $25 worth of gold, but what it represents is priceless. For some, a wedding ring is means nothing and may not even be worn at all. But for my wife an me, our rings hold the utmost value. She has never - even for a second - had her wedding ring off since I place it on her finger nearly 38 years ago. Mine has not been off in over 36 years (my job at the time required that I remove it for safety's sake.) Mere symbols, yes, but with great value and purpose.

At Home in Grace

Wherever you travel in life, may your home always be in the State of Grace.
— LiturgicostalWorship (@Liturgicostal) May 3, 2013

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Saint Ephraim of Syria on Prayer

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.  ~ Saint Ephraim of Syria 

EASTER SUNDAY - 2013

Scripture:
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Matthew 28:6

Reflection:
The Resurrection of Jesus is God's stamp of approval that Christ's sacrifice was complete and fully accepted by God. It is the irrefutable proof that all his claims were true. It is the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions in the world! Rejoice forevermore!

Prayer:
ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

HOLY SATURDAY - 2013

Scripture:

And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. Luke 23:55.56

Reflection:

Saturday. The Sabbath. The Day of Rest. This was unlike any other Sabbath before or since. There was no rest for those who followed Jesus. They had great expectations and plans. Jesus was the promised and long-awaited Messiah, their King who would rule a mighty kingdom, at least they thought he was. But now ... it was over. Within the hearts of Jesus' followers was only deep anguish, a tremendous sense of loss and hopelessness, and so much confusion and emptiness. He died. He was placed in the tomb. The tomb was sealed and guarded. It was over ... or so they thought.

Prayer:

For today's prayer, spend some time just meditating on the events of Holy Week. Let God speak into your heart through the Passion story.

GOOD FRIDAY - 2013

Scripture:

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:28-30

Reflection:

"It is finished!" It has been said that these are the greatest words ever uttered, by the greatest man who ever lived. These words were spoken by Jesus on the cross, just moments before he died. This was the moment for which he came. This was the moment that would atone for all sins of every person who ever lived or would ever live. This was the moment that would promise mankind's reconciliation to the God from whom they had been estranged. This was the moment that meant that we could now be forgiven and find peace with God. Nothing else had to be done. Nothing else could be added. The work of securing salvation for all who believe was complete. The job was done. The goal was achieved. The price was paid in full. The mission was accomplished. "It is finished!"

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, your work on the cross was complete. May we never think that we need to do something more to add to it in order to be forgiven, accepted, or saved by you. You paid it all and left us with zero balance. Give us the faith needed to simply receive what you paid for. May our whole lives humbly say, "Thank you, Lord." Amen.

HOLY THURSDAY - 2013

Scripture:

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 1 Corinthians 11:23,24

Reflection:

In the final hours before his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus gathered with his disciples for one final meal. It was during this meal that the Lord introduced a very special meal in its own right. Whether you view this meal as sacramental or a simply a memorial, whether you call it the Eucharist, Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, one thing is certain: this is something very special that the Lord wants to participate in regularly.

We do this with purpose: to remember the Lord's sacrifice on our behalf. The bread reminds us that his body was broken for us, and the wine reminds us of his blood that was shed to wash away our sins.

The annual celebration of the Jewish Passover recalls the blood that was applied to the doorposts and lintels of the homes to be spared from the judgment of death at the first Passover. In a similar way, Holy Communion reminds us that we need the blood of Jesus applied to the doorposts and lintel of our hearts to avoid God's judgment and spiritual death. The blood of Jesus is applied to our hearts when we confess our sins and turn to God by faith in the sacrifice of Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, with grateful hearts we thank you for the gift of the Eucharist that reminds us of your sacrifice for us. May we never partake of the Lord's Supper lightheartedly or without sincerely recalling to mind and heart what you did for us on the cross. We thank you for this very real picture of you in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. We are forever thankful. Amen

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK - 2013

 Scripture:

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

Reflection:

As Holy Week (or Passion Week) nears the end, Jesus' purpose for coming into this world is about to be fulfilled. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Though he was a great teacher, he did not come to give us great volumes of profound teachings. Though he was the King of kings, his purpose was not to set up and reign in an earthly kingdom. He was born with one mission, one goal, one destination. He lived his whole life with singleness of purpose. He knew why he came; he kept that in focus. The cross. The cross was why he came. He came to pay the penalty for mankind's sins by his death on the cross. He came to seek and save the lost.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you came with one purpose in mind: to seek and save the lost. That is who we were: the lost. We thank you that because of your sacrifice, we who have put our trust in you can say "were lost" in the past tense. We were lost in sin, but found by you. We were separated from God, but you drew us near. We were your enemies, but you made us your friends. We are eternally grateful for what you did for us. Amen.